A photo shows an electric car connected to a Tesla charging station (Tesla Supercharger) in Chasse-sur-Rhone, central France, on June 6, 2025. <\/p>\n
Alex Martin | Afp | Getty Images<\/p>\n
Tesla<\/a> new car sales in Europe fell for a fifth straight month in May, according to data<\/a> from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), as customers pivot to cheaper Chinese electric vehicles.<\/p>\n Data published Wednesday by ACEA found that Tesla’s car sales in the European Union, Britain and the European Free Trade Association fell to 13,863 units in May, down 27.9% year-on-year.<\/p>\n Tesla’s European market share also dropped to 1.2% from 1.8% in May 2024.<\/p>\n Overall car sales in Europe<\/p>\n The figures reinforce a downward regional trend for the U.S. EV maker, which has suffered brand and reputational damage in part due to CEO Elon Musk<\/a>‘s incendiary rhetoric and political activity.<\/p>\n Musk spent nearly $300 million to help re-elect U.S. President Donald Trump<\/a> and subsequently led a tumultuous initiative to slash federal agencies. Protests erupted at Tesla dealerships across Europe in response.<\/p>\n The Tesla CEO has since left the Trump administration, amid a bitter online feud<\/a> with the U.S. president.<\/p>\n Tesla continues to battle rising competition from traditional automakers, as well as Chinese players. Auto giant BYD, for instance, registered nearly as many vehicles as Tesla in May after outselling<\/a> Musk’s company for the first time in April.<\/p>\n It had been thought Tesla’s revamped Model Y compact sport utility vehicle could help to deliver a turnaround in the firm’s fortunes. The Model Y was recently found<\/a> to be instrumental in delivering a rebound in new car sales in Norway.<\/p>\n Shares of Tesla are down more than 15% in the year to date.<\/p>\n